4/2022
vol. 39
abstract:
Original paper
Ramadan intermittent fasting induced poorer training practices during the COVID-19 lockdown: A global
cross-sectional study with 5529 athletes from 110 countries
Christopher Martyn Beaven
7
,
- Sports Performance Division, Institut Sukan Negara Malaysia (National Sports Institute of Malaysia), 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
- Centre for Elite Sports Research, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian, University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
- Research Laboratory: Education, Motricity, Sport and Health, EM2S, LR19JS01, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
- Sport Science and Sport Medicine, Singapore Sport Institute, Sport Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Health, Engineering, Computing and Science, Te Huataki Waiora School of Health, University of Waikato, Tauranga, New Zealand
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Basque Co
- Exercise Science Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile
- Institute of Sport Sciences, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory in Neurosciences, Physiology and Psychology: Physical Activity, Health and Learning (LINP2), UFR STAPS, UPL, Paris Nanterre University, Nanterre, France
- Tunisian Research Laboratory, Sport Performance Optimisation, National Center of Medicine and Science in Sports (CNMSS), Tuni
- AUT University, Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
- Physical Education Department, College of Education, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Physical Activity, Sport & Health Research Unit (UR18JS01), National Sport Observatory, Tunis, Tunisia
- High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, University of Gafsa, Tunisia
- Aspetar, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, Doha, Qatar
- Krannert School of Physical Therapy, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, USA
- School of Nursing and Health Studies, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong
- FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence Algiers, Algeria
- Medical Committee, Confederation of African Football, Egypt
- Right to Dream Academy, Old Akrade, Ghana
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University. National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM), Loughborough, United Kingdom
- Human Performance Research Centre, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sport & Exercise Discipline Group, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Laboratoire de Recherche “insuffisance cardiaque” (LR12SP09), Hôpital Farhat HACHED, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisie
- Laboratoire de Physiologie, Faculté de Médicine de Sousse, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisie
Biol Sport. 2022;39(4):1103–1115
Online publish date: 2022/06/27
PlumX metrics:
Ramadan intermittent fasting during the COVID-19 lockdown (RIFL) may present unique demands. We investigated training practices (i.e., training load and training times) of athletes, using pre-defined survey criteria/questions, during the ‘first’ COVID-19 lockdown, comparing RIFL to lockdown-alone (LD) in Muslim athletes. Specifically, a within-subject, survey-based study saw athletes (n = 5,529; from 110 countries/territories) training practices (comparing RIFL to LD) explored by comparative variables of: sex; age; continent; athlete classification (e.g., world-class); sport classification (e.g., endurance); athlete status (e.g., professional); and level of training knowledge and beliefs/attitudes (ranked as: good/moderate/poor). During RIFL (compared to LD), athlete perceptions (ranges presented given variety of comparative variables) of their training load decreased (46–62%), were maintained (31–48%) or increased (2–13%). Decreases (≥ 5%, p < 0.05) affected more athletes aged 30–39 years than those 18–29 years (60 vs 55%); more national than international athletes (59 vs 51%); more team sports than precision sports (59 vs 46%); more North American than European athletes (62 vs 53%); more semi-professional than professional athletes (60 vs 54%); more athletes who rated their beliefs/attitudes ‘good’ compared to ‘poor’ and ‘moderate’ (61 vs 54 and 53%, respectively); and more athletes with ‘moderate’ than ‘poor’ knowledge (58 vs 53%). During RIFL, athletes had different strategies for training times, with 13–29% training twice a day (i.e., afternoon and night), 12–26% at night only, and 18–36% in the afternoon only, with ranges depending on the comparative variables. Training loads and activities were altered negatively during RIFL compared to LD. It would be prudent for decision-makers responsible for RIFL athletes to develop programs to support athletes during such challenges.
keywords:
Crowdsource data, Global sports, Vulnerable athletes, Remote training, Training perception, Training load
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